Appalachian Trail - Massie Gap to Atkins, VA/I-81
Monday, April 21, 2025 - Day 1
Woke up at Relax Inn around 630. Cool but no rain clouds yet. That is predicted for afternoon. I was ready about 7 but office and shuttle are scheduled at 8.
Rus and his wife picked me up and got me to Massie Gap about 9am. Mile Marker 502.4 to start
Weather was great in the morning. Good day for hiking
Stopped at the Scales just before noon for lunch 507.8
Met a thru-hiker called Twin that is about the same pace. Hiking with him for now.
Saw some of the Grayson Highland Ponies. This is a highlight of this section
Long climb up from Fox Creek
Stayed at Hurricane Shelter. 12.6 + a little side trail at the beginning and end. MM 515.1
Four guys here at the shelter for dinner. They have a bear box for everyone to use which is grear
Rain started about 7 and was off and on all night including some pretty heavy showers
Tuesday, April 22, 2025 - Day 2
Up about 630. Two camp mates already moving around. One left just before 7. The storm from last night cleared out so it is looking good weather wise.
There is one shelter 9 ahead but it would be nice to cover 12 or 13. Next shelter after that is at 18. Not sure what I will feel like doing today. Also rain in the forecast
Broke camp about 8.
Saw a cool waterfall. Not a big as Laurel but pretty nice
Made it to Timpoli shelter about 1:30
Decided to push on to a campsite 4ish miles further on.
Got to camp about 5. MM 528.0 12.9mi for the day
Tomorrow Twin is getting off at Mt Rodgers Welcome center to head into Marion. My goal is Chatfield Shelter at MM 541.4 and if I am feeling up to it onto Atkins at MM 546.0
In the tent by 7:30
Wednesday, April 23, 2025 - Day 3
No rain overnight. Woke up to thick dew and some fog.
Made it to Pat Jennings Welcome Center by 10:45
Got me a coke and refilled my 1L bottle
Said fond farewells to Twin as he was heading into Marion for the night and meet up with his wife. He was a good hiking partner and put up with my pace.
I left Pat Jennins a bit after 11 with two Goals
- Goal 1: Chatfield Shelter 7 miles up trail
- Goal 2: back to the car. Another 4.5 past Chatfield
In the way was a 4 mile hike to Glade Mtn Road. Then a 1.2 mile climb up Glade Mtn.
Those were rough and I didn’t make good time.
I was worried I didn’t have enough water and I knew I had to get close to the shelter to get any.
Only saw one hiker on this section. He made up 2 hours on me before I crested Glade Mtn. Saw no one else all afternoon.
Made it to the shelter and water by about 4.
Pondered my options and decided to push on. Figured I would finish between 6:30 and 7:30.
Trail was great heading into Atkins and made it to the car right at 7. Just under 12 hours hiking today.
Finished at MM 546.0. That makes it even 18 miles today.
I am pretty wrecked as I write these notes out in a hotel room after getting shower and dinner.